SHASHI DIP urges us to take a simple pledge each year on Dussehra: to confront at least one social evil—be it corruption, discrimination, or dishonesty—in our own lives or communities
As the nine-day festivities of Durga Utsav draw to a close, devotees across India express gratitude while bidding farewell to Maa Durga. With the conclusion of Durga Puja, another important ritual follows—the symbolic burning of Ravana’s effigy. This age-old tradition highlights the triumph of good over evil, reminding us of the need to root out destructive forces from our lives, society, and the world.
Each year, Dussehra reaffirms this universal truth: before we attempt to transform the world, we must first conquer the darkness within ourselves. The festival urges us to recognise and eradicate our “inner Ravanas”—the demons of arrogance, anger, greed, and hatred that silently govern much of human behaviour.
In the Ramayana, Ravana emerges as a complex figure. He was not merely a villain but a learned scholar, a brilliant ruler, and a master of the arts and sciences. Yet his towering ego, unchecked desires, and disregard for righteousness overshadowed his brilliance. His downfall serves as an enduring lesson that unchecked pride and misuse of power inevitably destroy even the mightiest of men.
Unfortunately, in modern times, the deeper essence of Dussehra is often lost amidst the rituals and celebrations. We participate in grand processions, burn effigies, and witness fireworks, yet fail to translate these symbolic acts into meaningful change. The festival’s message is not meant to remain confined to the stage—it calls for introspection and action in our everyday lives.
As a citizen concerned about the state of society, I find it troubling that evil often appears to flourish while goodness struggles to prevail. We witness corruption, exploitation, and injustice carried out openly, often by those in positions of power. Political leaders and influential individuals frequently flout laws without consequence, while honest and well-intentioned people face obstacles and hardships on their path to success. This imbalance contradicts the very spirit of Dussehra, which commemorates the ultimate victory of virtue over vice.
If we truly wish to honour Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, we must look beyond the superficial rituals. The essence of the festival lies in self-discipline, moral courage, and collective responsibility. Each individual has a role to play in confronting the wrongs that persist in society—whether it is dishonesty, corruption, or intolerance.
The destruction of effigies should remind us not only of the fall of mythological demons but also of the urgent need to vanquish the very real evils that surround us today.
Dussehra, then, is more than a festival—it is a moral compass. Its timeless message invites us to rise above selfishness, greed, and injustice and build a society rooted in fairness, compassion, and truth.
To make this message real, let us take a simple pledge each year on Dussehra: to confront at least one social evil—be it corruption, discrimination, or dishonesty—in our own lives or communities. If every citizen embraces this responsibility, together we can ensure that the festival’s spirit goes beyond the burning of effigies and becomes a living force for lasting change.
Shashi Dip is a thinker, bilingual writer, poet, columnist, social activist and an author of the book ‘Waves Within (Horizon and Beyond)’. She is associated with various literary associations and has written more than 200 blogs, 500 quotes in Hindi/Urdu and English and 100 poems in both Hindi and English.
